How OKC Thunder Have Maximized Their Depth

BusinessSportsMoneyHow OKC Thunder Have Maximized Their DepthByMark Medina,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. NBA reporterFollow AuthorMay 18, 2026, 08:00am EDTOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 19: Ajay Mitchell #25, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, Cason Wallace #22, and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after a made basket during the second half against the Phoenix Suns in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on April 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)Getty ImagesAs they have steamrolled their opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder lean on a luxury and an NBA first-world challenge.The Thunder have too much talent. “It’s a lot of choices,” OKC coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s obviously a very good problem to have. I trust everybody.”And why wouldn’t he? Daigneault usually boasts an 11-man rotation that features the NBA’s reigning MVP (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), a Defensive Player of the Year runner up (Chet Holmgren) and three wing defenders (Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace). Daigneault has center Isaiah Hartenstein, a strong defender and passer to play with Holmgren in big lineups and without him in small ones. Daigneault has another player that can make clutch shots (Isaiah Joe). Daigneault has another player that can do everything (Ajay Mitchell). The Thunder even improved before the trade deadline by fleecing the Philadelphia 76ers for a strong rookie scorer (Jared McCain) only for a first-round pick (2026) and three second-round picks. OKC has so much depth that it has absorbed Jalen Williams various injuries just fine. He made his first All-Star game and became a key two-way player during last season’s championship run only to m...